DeKalb Schools to Re-Open for Registration August 1
by: Dwayne PageJul 01, 2025
DeKalb County Schools will re-open Friday, August 1 for registration.
Students will attend for 90 minutes (abbreviated day from 7:45 a.m. until 9:15 a.m.). to sign up at their schools.
The first full day of school will be Tuesday, August 5.
Professional Development at the individual schools will be July 29-31.
Monday, August 4 will be an administrative day for teachers only. Students will not attend on Monday, August 4.
The 2025-26 DeKalb County School Calendar is as follows:
DeKalb County students and teachers will have a full week off for fall break October 13-17, Thanksgiving November 24-28, and spring break March 23-27, and a two-week winter break for Christmas December 22 to January 2. December 19 will be an abbreviated day (7:45 a.m.-9:15 a.m.). Students will return to school after the Christmas holiday on January 5, 2026. Schools will also be closed for Labor Day September 1, Dr. Martin Luther King Day January 19, President’s Day February 16, Good Friday. April 3, and Monday, April 6. The last day of school will be May 22, 2026 (abbreviated 7:45 a.m.-9:15 a.m.). May 26 will be an administrative day. No school on Memorial Day, May 25
Report cards will be issued at all schools on October 9, January 8, March 17, and May 22.
Parent teacher conferences will be held at all schools from 3-6 p.m. on October 9 and March 19.
Deputies Make Same Day Drug Arrests After Finding Six Bags of Meth in Two Separate Cases
by: Dwayne PageJul 01, 2025
The DeKalb County Sheriff’s Department in one day made arrests in two separate drug cases after finding a total of six bags of suspected methamphetamine
46-year-old Jason Richard Skaroupka of South College Street, Smithville is charged with possession of drug paraphernalia and possession of methamphetamine with intent to manufacture, sell, or deliver. His bond is $52,500 and he will be in court July 10.
Sheriff Patrick Ray said that on June 26 at 1:42 a.m. a deputy was on South Congress Boulevard attempting to serve a warrant and made contact with Skaroupka who gave verbal consent for the officer to search his house. Upon a search of the residence the deputy found a clear bag of a crystal-like substance believed to be meth that weighed 11.10 grams. The clear bag was in a brown bag on top of a pile of clothes. He also found another clear bag of a crystal-like substance believed to be methamphetamine that weighed 0.81 grams. It was found under a mattress.
The same day, 26-year-old Kelsey Elizabeth Steinbach of Keltonburg Road, Smithville was charged with possession of methamphetamine with intent to manufacture, sell, or deliver. Her bond is $20,000 and she will make a court appearance on July 10.
Sheriff Ray said that on June 26 a deputy arrested Steinbach on several active warrants and while searching her belongings, the officer found on the floor a clear bag with a crystal-like substance believed to be methamphetamine that weighed 0.56 grams. Steinbach admitted that the substance belonged to her and stated more was in her purse. The deputy searched the purse and found three clear bags with crystal-like substances believed to be meth that weighed 0.27 grams, 0.61 grams, and 2.41 grams.
55-year-old Clarence Edward Sexton, Jr. of Cripps Lane, Smithville is charged with a second offense of driving on a revoked license. He is under a $4,500 bond and his court date is July 17. Sheriff Ray said that on June 27 while patrolling West Broad Street a deputy spotted Sexton driving a black Chevy Avalanche. Knowing that Sexton’s license was revoked, the officer pulled him over and confirmed through central dispatch that Sexton’s license was still revoked.
55-year-old David Allen Coats of Hidden Hollow Road, Smithville is charged with public intoxication, assault on a first responder, and resisting arrest. His bond totals $13,500 and he will be in court July 10. Sheriff Ray said that on June 27 deputies were summoned to Helm Hollow Road due to an unwanted guest complaint. Upon arrival they met the complainant near the intersection of Wolf Creek Road and Helm Hollow Road. The woman said that while on her property and in her camper, Coats became intoxicated and out of control. The deputies then went to Coats’ residence and spoke with him outside in the yard. According to the officers, Coats smelled of alcohol, his speech was slurred, and he became angry and made threats as he approached them. Coats tensed up and looked as if he were ready to fight after being ordered to step back. Coats resisted being placed under arrest and was taken the ground by officers. While deputies were trying to gain control of Coats, he tried to pull from the holster of an officer a taser. As Coats continued to resist, two taser deployments were used to gain control of him. Hand restraints were then placed on Coats before he was seated in the patrol car. Coats admitted to having consumed three alcoholic beverages.
32-year-old Kayla Marie Miller of Woodbury is charged with violating an order of protection. Her bond is $2,500 and she will be in court July 10. Sheriff Ray said that on June 25 a deputy was summoned to the sheriff’s department where he spoke with a man who said that his wife, Miller had been making phone calls and sending him harassing messages in violation of an order of protection against her. Officers confirmed through NCIC that the full order of protection was still active.
County Implements Tighter Courthouse Security
by: Dwayne PageJun 29, 2025
The county has initiated its plan to tighten security at the courthouse.
The public must now enter the courthouse from the eastside across from Smithville City Hall at the top the handicapped ramp on the second floor. All other entrance doors to the courthouse are locked from the outside.
Constable Mark Milam, courthouse security officer, will screen all persons coming into the courthouse and they will have to go through a metal detector. The election commission remains in operation on the first floor but will soon be moving to the county complex near the offices of the county clerk, register of deeds, trustee, and assessor of property.
“The courthouse security project has come into effect. The County Courthouse will have one secure entrance. All of those looking to visit the courthouse will have to enter at the eastside entrance that faces Smithville City Hall. The general public is not allowed to have in possession any firearm or weapon, no cell phones, no bags, no briefcases, or any other item that could secure a weapon, explosive device or other ordnance,” said County Mayor Matt Adcock
“The security measure is in full effect. There are new security windows that provide for security measures, and new doors that provide better security for the building”, said County Mayor Adcock.
Last August County Mayor Adcock advocated that the basement be the only secured entrance to the courthouse but the County’s Public Works Committee instead chose the eastside second floor entrance by the handicapped ramp.
“I am concerned about handicapped persons making it up the ramp. Maybe that will not be an issue. I hope not,” said county Mayor Adcock.
Beefing up courthouse security has been of particular concern to General Sessions and Juvenile Court Judge Brandon Cox who has addressed the county commission and its committees about the issue several times since 2022.
Judge Cox, in August 2024 again stated his reasons for tighter courthouse security
“First, the reason I had a renewed push for security is the incident that occurred at the Monroe County Justice Center wherein a man armed with a semi-automatic rifle entered the premises and began shooting. Fortunately, Monroe County had security and the man was stopped before he hurt anyone. That would not have happened in DeKalb. That man would have had free run of the courthouse until police arrived on scene,” said Judge Cox
“I am glad to hear that there is movement to address this issue as I’ve been requesting the same since 2022. And I’m also pleased that the election commission will be getting adequate space at the complex,” said Judge Cox.
“Court business is necessarily adversarial. People fight over property, children, and their freedom in that building. And a great number of folks are not happy with decisions I or the other judges make. On top of all that we have a significant mental health crisis in our community. We have the capacity to make common-sense, cost-effective changes to address this issue now,” Judge Cox concluded.